Causes of Denominational Divisions In the Church (2)

Christianity started with one united Church in ancient Israel in the first-century with a few disciples of Jesus Christ, the head. The disciples increased in number when Peter and other apostles began to preach the gospel of the Kingdom of heaven (Acts 2:14-41).

The Christian Faith spread to Europe where the Church split into two denominations, the Roman Catholic Church based in Rome and the Eastern Orthodox Church based in Constantinople which is Turkey today. Disagreement over the authority of the Pope led to the split of the Church.

Years later, corrupt practices in the Catholic Church, particularly the sale of indulgences, disagreement over doctrines, and other factors fueled Martin Luther’s Protestant Reformation movement, leading to the formation of other Christian denominations mentioned in the previous articles. 

In the Part Two, I want us to focus on the causes of the proliferation of denominational divisions of the Church in the modern world, especially in Africa where the population of Christians is big. The divisions often occur in the Pentecostal and Charismatic Churches. 

Divine Direction

Many founders of new denominations claim they left their former Churches to start theirs because God directed them. In other words, they received divine direction and instruction, implying that God supports denominational divisions of the Church. 

But does God really tell a pastor to leave his former Church and start his nearby with a new name, constitution, leadership style and doctrines? Well, this is a question that only God can answer satisfactorily. The sad reality is that most often the pastor ‘steals’ some of the members of his former church to start his new denomination. 

Doctrinal Mismatch

Vision and theological or doctrinal misalignment is another reason by which some church leaders decide to leave and start their own churches which later grow to become denominations. It happens when a Church fails to pattern its teachings and practices after the teachings of Christ Jesus and the foundational apostles as stated in the Bible.

This is exactly what happened in the 16th Century when some Christian leaders rose against the practices and teachings of the Roman Catholic Church, leading to the formation of new denominations, including the Lutheran Church, the Presbyterian Church, the Anglican Church and the Baptist Church.

Autonomy and Freedom

Moreover, new denominations develop because of some church leaders’ desire to have autonomy and freedom. This usually occurs in a  denominational environment where associate pastors feel excessively controlled, used, or they are deprived of the opportunity to fulfill their ministry. 

Lead pastors of some Churches do not only have inferiority complex, but also fear competition with their associated pastors who are knowledgeable in the Scriptures and are anointed with good moral character. 

Consequently, they refuse to give their pulpits to their associates to minister. There are others who give their associates the opportunity to minister, but they later find ways to criticize their teachings in order to maintain their supremacy.

Financial Motivation

In fact, there are several other causes of denominational divisions of Christianity in the world especially in Africa today. However, the commonest cause which is the last to be discussed in this message arguably is financial motivation. 

Many leave their former churches to start new denominations with the main aim of using the pulpit to make money to escape poverty. Their decision is influenced by the fact that most lead pastors of Pentco-Charismatic Churches are wealthy as they live in mansions, fly planes, drive big cars, have expensive wardrobes and own businesses. 

They understand that starting a church is difficult, but they are hopeful that through determination and endurance they can make it. They raise funds through tithes, weekly offerings, special offerings, annual harvests (donations). Those who peddle the gospel do not mind prophesying money out of people’s pockets and accounts, or praying for the sick for money.

For most of them, the majority of Christians in Africa are gullible because of the ignorance that is in them. Thus, all that they need is the ability to speak eloquently, quote biblical passages or verses and raise funds. 

Now, we know that church leaders in Africa are not seriously answerable to any governmental authorities regarding their finances. They may only be accountable to God who knows and judges the motives of man’s actions. 

By James Quansah